Question from 1st Time Boat owner?

[Bandneil]

Hi everyone, I'm brand new to your site and have found it very helpful on more than one question I've had.

My question is, I have a 1978 Glastron SSV-172 with the Mercruiser I/O....and The steering is weird on it? No matter which way I turn, it turns rather hard and clicks the whole time as if something is not grabbing the way it should. It seems to be in line and turns just fine, but it's pretty annoying and somewhat embarrassing when we have friends along. Would you guys have any idea as to what my issue is, and if its a major or minor fix (cost?) thank you!

 

[dkorzun21]

Re: Question from 1st Time Boat owner?

Welcome, I think the clicking is normal because mine does that to when the wheel is streight. But as far as ruff turning goes you might need a new steering cabel could run you. $500 bucks if you take it to a mechanic, Do you have power steering? Might wanna check your fluid lmk,

Any one elses boat make a click noise when the wheel is streight?

 

[Numlaar]

Re: Question from 1st Time Boat owner?

Need to know what type of steering it is, can you describe what the box behind the dash looks like? (there where 3 main types, pulley/cable, sealed cable (rotary), and rack/pinion)

It sounds like you might have the single piece cable (rotary style), where it has little notches in the cable end that go around a central gear, and it is common for the cable and/or gear to wear out because the cable is starting to seize, which creates the clicking sound, makes the steering stiff and causes it to slip...

you would be looking into replacing the cable and/or helm if that is the case... can usually do it yourself for around 200ish...

If it has power steering then there is possibly something wrong with the steering assist... but we would need more info to make that determination... I would probably also post this in the I/O forums so you can get a better response.

 

[Bandneil]

Re: Question from 1st Time Boat owner?

Thanks guys, right above the steering wheel it says "morse controls" I think it's actually a rack and pinion style if I'm not mistaken? Like I mentioned before, it turns just fine, but the "clicking" noise it makes just doesn't seem right.......I can hear it pretty loud right at the steering wheel, but if I open the motor hatch, I can hear it back there as well so it doesn't seem to be just coming from one place?

 

[gcboat]

Re: Question from 1st Time Boat owner?

It could be anything from valve tappets to your U joint. And no - any strange noise is 'not normal'.
Does this noise seem to get louder when you turn ( either direction) ? Does it seem to get louder when you trim up?
The hard turning and the noises you hear shouldn't be related to each other unless you do have power steering and the pump is starting to crap out. It will usually make a 'whine' noise if you're low on fluid.
There are so many possibilities that it would be useless to continue guessing.
A trip to the shop might set you back a couple hundred bucks but then you'll know the problem. Then again, it all depends on the shop you take it to.